MY OUTLOOK: Kirsten Cash, Professional Baby Namer

What is Name Dropper?

A baby naming service that utilizes information provided by the customer to hand-select names. Our goal is to make the naming process enjoyable and easy by utilizing our knowledge of names, sounds, popularity, sensibleness and other general Onomatology.

What is Onomatology?

The science or study of the origin and forms of proper names of persons or places. Basically, the study of names.

Do you work alone?

I have a business partner in San Francisco. We work together via telephone and internet to choose names for each customer.

Why did you decide to do this?

I have been intrigued by baby names since I was a child. I pored over names for hours and hours when I selected my own four children’s names. As a speech-language pathologist, I am very sensitive to how sounds complement each other and I feel very attuned to naming patterns.

How do you choose names?

We analyze the information you provided on a questionnaire. For example, if you told us you need help with girl names, you plan to use the middle name “Faith,” you like traditional names and your last name is “Wilson,” we would use all of those criteria to select names that flow well.

Why do you think it’s helpful?

People feel a lot of pressure to come up with the perfect name and it can be very overwhelming, especially in the midst of so many other life changes that come along with a new baby. Our goal is to help ease some of the stress of the baby preparation, so that you can focus on enjoying the anticipation of your new little one.

What are some of your favorite names?

Hands down, my favorite names are my own children’s: McKenna Grace, Tierney Marie, Lorelei Rose, and Brecken William.

How do people react to the names you have chosen?

We have been fortunate to always have positive feedback. We feel this is due to the genuine care and quality time we put into to carefully choosing the right name suggestions for each customer.

What kind of research do you do when picking names?

It entirely depends on the information provided to us. There are so many variables; each customer truly receives individualized service.

Do you have any tips to someone searching for a name on their own?

Always, always, always say the name out loud with baby’s last name! When considering names for our son, my husband and I liked the name Holden. I said, “Holden Cash,” and we quickly realized that would not work for us! Also, remember that your cute little baby will one day be an adult in our world. Imagine his/her name on letterhead, a business card or a name tag.

Why do you think names are so important?

Names can have a surprising impact on who we become as a person. Not only can it impact our personality, but it may even influence our career! In some countries, names are so highly regarded that there are laws about what names can be used.

How many names have you suggested?

Honestly, I do not know. I have had so many people ask me for help over the years and I never thought to keep count. Name Dropper just went live in February, so we are still new in the business world.

What is next for Name Dropper?

We plan to start “Name Dropper for Pets” next! Our web site will be www.NameDropperPets.com, so keep an eye out for it!

For more information, visit namedropperbaby.com.